insert_link Business / Economics Finance Ministry Explores Innovative Approaches to Social Welfare The Ministry of Finance is exploring new ways to support vulnerable households beyond traditional cash grants, Finance Executive Director Dr. Michael Humavindu has revealed. The social welfare program currently supports pensioners, children, foster families, people with disabilities, and poorer households through grants, including a $690 per month conditional basic income grant. However, a recent reclassification by the World Bank showed that the poverty rate has risen from 18% to 22% […] today28 August, 2025
insert_link Interview Transcripts Interview: Musutua Slams Netumbo Administration Over Broken Grant Promises Social justice activist Rinaani Musutua has criticised the Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah administration for failing to honour its campaign pledge to expand social grants, saying the government’s lack of action on poverty alleviation amounts to “lip service.” In a strongly worded statement, Musutua said that if the new administration were serious about tackling hunger and poverty, the first action would have been to fulfil its manifesto promise of expanding social grants. […] today23 June, 2025
insert_link Interview Transcripts Interview: Ben Schernick Urges Government to Implement Universal Basic Income Grant By: Leonard Witbeen The Director of the Nutrition Alliance of Namibia, Ben Schernick, has called on the government to reconsider its approach to social protection, arguing that targeted grants are inefficient and fragmented. His remarks come in response to Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi’s commitment to increasing social protection investments. Schernick highlighted that Namibia’s current social grant system requires significant administrative effort and is prone to corruption. He advocates for a […] today17 February, 2025
insert_link Namibia Musutua Blasts Shiimi Over Poverty Crisis, Demands Universal Grant Activist Rinaani Musutua has taken aim at Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, accusing the government of continuously making empty promises while failing to tackle Namibia’s deepening poverty crisis. Musutua argues that the only viable solution is the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Grant, which she believes would provide meaningful financial relief to struggling citizens. In the interim, Ben Schernick, Director of the Nutrition Alliance of Namibia, has voiced concerns over […] today17 February, 2025
insert_link Namibia BIG Coalition Applauds Nandi-Ndaitwa and Advocates for Universal Basic Income Grant The Basic Income Grant Coalition of Namibia has congratulated President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa on her election as the country's first female president. The coalition continues to advocate for the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Grant for all Namibians, emphasizing its importance in addressing poverty, unemployment, and economic inequality. Here's the coalition's Breschnev Katjito: today6 December, 2024
insert_link Interview Transcripts INTERVIEW: BIG Coalition Member: Breschneff Katjito Criticizes Government’s Conditional Basic Income Grant December 6, 2024 Breschneff Katjito, a prominent member of the Universal Basic Income Grant (BIG) Coalition, has voiced strong disappointment with the government's handling of the Conditional Basic Income Grant, highlighting concerns over its restrictive nature and limited reach. In a candid statement, Katjito emphasized that the conditional grant, which aims to alleviate poverty by providing a small cash amount, has been riddled with bureaucratic hurdles. He criticized the […] today6 December, 2024
insert_link Local NACN GRANTS RESULTS CYCLE THREE (3) 31 OCTOBER 2024 In a year marked by growing artistic innovation and resilience, the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) is thrilled to announce the latest achievements in its grant-funding programme. The Cycle 3 grant disbursement, totaling N$673,552.00, will support twenty-four (24) diverse creative projects. This allocation reaffirms NACN’s strategic commitment to nurturing an inclusive arts ecosystem that not only enriches the cultural sector but also contributes meaningfully to its […] today31 October, 2024
insert_link Africa El Niño: Malawi’s harvest of maize – its staple food – may fall by 22.5% this year By Joachim De Weerdt, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Channing Arndt, CGIAR System Organization; James Thurlow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Jan Duchoslav, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Joseph Glauber, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Liangzhi You, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) , and Weston Anderson, University of Maryland Maize is the preferred staple of most of southern Africa. […] today30 January, 2024
insert_link Entertainment Nascam declares N$2 million in royalties The Namibia Society of Composers and Authority of Music has declared a N$2 million royalty for the year, which according to the organisation is a remarkable achievement. Nascam CEO Albert Nicanor says that 10% of the declared royalties will be allocated for the social protection of all the members. today16 January, 2024